While so many brides and grooms find the planning process to be taxing on the nerves, Jennifer-Lind Heiser and Matthew Ozee remained calm, cool, and collected. Organizing their Nashville nuptials from the comfort of their Dallas home came quite easily for them. “I have been planning events throughout my career for five years,” notes Jenny. “However, we really relied on our wedding planners to help us navigate and select the best Nashville vendors.” After their engagement, which took place during the lively festivities of the Fourth of July, the pair gave themselves 10 months to coordinate their destination event – they were entirely confident in their ability to plan a top-notch celebration with little anxiety. “Being engaged and getting married is one of the happiest times in your life!” Jenny beams. “Just make sure to knock out the guest list early!”

For the bride, the selection of their venue – a historic mansion property once home to President Andrew Jackson – was one of great importance to her family line. “My family and I visited a while back and I fell in love with the garden and the home,” she reveals. “It was also special to my family because we are descendants of President Andrew Jackson [through his son, Andrew Jackson III], so there was a unique family tie there as well.” Due to Jenny’s familial connection, she and Matthew were allowed to host their vows on the front steps of the estate. According to the bride, prior to her nuptials, the last family member to wed at the site was her great-great-grandmother – President Jackson’s great-granddaughter – in 1892. 

At 6PM sharp, Jenny glided down the aisle and toward her awaiting sweetheart, standing just in front of the mansion’s southern façade featuring an altar made up of a draped table and a large cross of lilacs, peonies, sweet peas, and tulips resting underneath towering pillars that extended up to the second floor’s expansive balcony. The bride was clothed in a stunning classic gown displaying Chantilly lace, a jeweled sash, and a cathedral train, and carried her family’s Bible and a cluster of fresh flowers wrapped with lace from her mother’s wedding dress. Her 16 bridesmaids looked with joy, each sporting flowing Monique Lhuillier frocks in blush. After their “I dos,” guests had the option of touring the historic site or enjoying some delicious fare in the garden during cocktail hour.

Dinner was served in an elegant tent set up in the backyard of the estate. Friends and family entered to find a dreamy area bathed in shades of white, cream, and hints of light pink. Tall floral centerpieces featuring the same color concept bloomed out of elongated glass vases at each table, which were simply adorned with delicate linens provided by Nüage Designs, gilt-rimmed glasses, and glass chargers. Longer tables lined the back of the dining area and showcased soft, gold runners and lower arrangements, as not to obstruct the view of the unique celebration space beyond. “Everything centered around the custom-made bar and the dance floor!” the bride gushes. “We had a sunken dance floor that added energy to the atmosphere surrounding our reception: it was enclosed by a solid, white wainscot railing that allowed non-dancing guests to watch from above.”

Revelers enjoyed lively dancing, refreshing bourbon drinks served at the custom horseshoe bar – inspired by the bride’s family ranch, a five-tier almond and vanilla bean cake, and the timeless cigar bar until all hours of the night. Both Jenny and Matthew agree that their big day was their idea of perfection. “Our theme incorporated classic elegance, family heritage, and modern comforts,” states the bride. “We wanted to provide Southern beauty, hospitality, and grace to all who were there.”